If you’re going to go for a compound, which many ex-pats do, there are a number available. The drawback is that you will live in surroundings which are quite westernised, so you might not get a real feel of living in Jeddah. The upside is that you will be living amongst other ex-pats, and can share your experiences. A few include: Garden City Compound, Junction of Medina road and Falasteen Road, +966-2-6607590 Shaker Village Compound, Prince Sultan Street, +966-2-6941129 ext 401 Al-Aoun Village, Sitteen Street, +966-2-6833909 ext 229
For more compounds please refer to General Directory.
Bank account A bank account is essential whatever situation you’re in. To open one, pop along to the branch of your choice and fill out an application form (which will be in English). You will need to provide a copy of your employment contract, a letter from your employer to say that you work there, and a copy of your iqama. You will also need to provide a PO box so that your correspondence can be sent there. Provided that you do all of this, you will be able to open your bank account on the same day. 10 DESTINATION JEDDAH
PO Box You can go to your local branch of the Saudi Post and obtain a PO box. This costs about SR100 for the year and is very useful, as Jeddah does not have a postal system similar to the UK or US. The only way to get your post is to go to the post office and check your PO box at regular intervals
Saudi driving licence If you are male, already have a driving licence from your home country, and would like to get a Saudi driving licence, you will require: - 4 passport size photos - Your original driving licence from your home country - A copy of your passport - A copy of your Iqama (If your Iqama is dependent on another person, e.g your wife, you will require a copy of their iqama too) - Knowledge of your blood type - Around SR650